Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program

• US 9,047,652 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2012
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Count & Crush Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Count & Crush Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Hunscher, William, Whittier, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): HESS, DANIEL A
• Application Number:
  US13/564,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20120292387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/375, 241/99
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/245 Query processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/30 Administration of product recycling or disposal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/26 Government or public services business processes related to the transportation industry G06Q50/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0609 by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/00 Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for managing information relating to recycling activities are described. One embodiment described herein is directed to a method for accessing aggregated recycling information for use and/or display in connection with an account-based recycling program. The method comprises receiving first and second container information, the first container information concerning a plurality of first containers for a first recycling transaction and the second container information concerning a plurality of second containers for a second recycling transaction. The first and second container information is stored and associated account information concerning at least one to consumer account. The method further comprises accessing, in response to receiving a query relating to a plurality of recycling transactions, information relating to at least the first and second containers so as to enable the use and/or display of aggregated recycling information.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a retail location recycling return center, a first bag associated with a first consumer, the first bag holding a first plurality of recyclable containers;

receiving, at the retail location recycling return center, a second bag associated with a second consumer, the second bag holding a second plurality of recyclable containers;

transporting the first bag and the second bag from the retail location recycling return center to a processing center;

receiving the first bag at the processing center and receiving, from a scanning device located at the processing center, a first set of information for the first bag representing a first recycling transaction, the first set of information including information about individual recyclable containers of the first plurality of recyclable containers;

receiving the second bag at the processing center and receiving, from the scanning device located at the processing center, a second set of information for the second bag representing a second recycling transaction, the second set of information including information about individual recyclable containers of the second plurality of recyclable containers;

storing, in at least one memory, the first and second sets of information;

associating, in the at least one memory, the first set of information with a first consumer account associated with the first consumer and the second set of information with a second consumer account associated with the second consumer;

receiving a query relating to a plurality of recycling transactions from at least one input device; and

in response to receiving the query, accessing in the at least one memory information relating to at least the first and second sets of information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning the first and second pluralities of recyclable containers using the scanning device to determine the first and second sets of information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the scanning device comprises a barcode scanner.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of information comprises a redemption value for each of the first plurality of recyclable containers, and the second set of information comprises a redemption value for each of the second plurality of recyclable containers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of information comprises a material for each of the first plurality of recyclable containers, and the second set of information comprises a material for each of the second plurality of recyclable containers.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of information comprises a Universal Product Code (UPC) for each of the first plurality of recyclable containers, and the second set of information comprises a UPC for each of the second plurality of recyclable containers.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of information comprises a container identifier for each of the first plurality of recyclable containers, and the second set of information comprises a container identifier for each of the second plurality of recyclable containers.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of information comprises a type for each of the first plurality of recyclable containers, and the second set of information comprises a type for each of the second plurality of recyclable containers.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein each recyclable container of the first plurality of recyclable containers has a deposit refund amount associated therewith, and wherein the method further comprises refunding to the first consumer the deposit refund amount based on the first set of information.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the accessed information relating to at least the first and second sets of information comprises a value corresponding to at least the first and second pluralities of recyclable containers, and wherein the plurality of recycling transactions correspond to a plurality of consumers.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing marketing activities based at least in part on the first and second sets of information.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising, based at least in part on the first set of information, electronically transmitting information usable to credit the first consumer with a value ascribed, at least in part, to the first recycling transaction.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying at least the first and second sets of information.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the accessed information relating to at least the first and second sets of information comprises an average value for the plurality of recycling transactions, and wherein the plurality of recycling transactions correspond to a plurality of consumers.